Developmental Players & MLS

I think one of the best moves that MLS has made in the last couple of years is introducing the 'developmental player' roster status last year, and then increasing the number of roster exempt players this year from four to six. We've seen a number of quality young players added to the league this way, who very possibly would not have found a roster spot, and may not have even continued playing soccer professionally, if it weren't around.

Additionally, it's probably the most cost effective means of improving league quality and roster depth that could possibly be devised. Developmental players are paid $850 a month and, although you can say that this is not enough (I would agree), it's apparnetly enough to convince a lot of talented young players to give MLS a shot. If MLS is concerned with improving the quality of the league and the US talent pool, and considering the pressure that expansion is going to put on the MLS talent pool, I think they have to consider significantly expanding the number of developmental roster slots.

There were, by my count, 14 developmental players in MLS last year, and 24 this year; that's $380,000 over two years, which, I'm guessing, is significantly less than Daryl Powell + Jaime Moreno's salary. In that time, a bunch of solid young players have come through:

Nat Borchers, obviously, was a rookie of the year candidate, and an exceptional young defender; without the developmental slots, I doubt he would still be playing soccer professionally.

Jamil Walker was a big part of San Jose's cup run, and developed significantly from the beginning to end of this season. I assume everybody has been significantly impressed that I don't have to say a lot about him.

Chris Roner, likewise, was played almost 2000 minutes for the Earthquakes this year, and, cup final excepted, looks like a good young player. And, of course, if it weren't for Roner's stoppage time goal against the Galaxy, San Jose wouldn't have made it to the Cup at all.

Alejandro Moreno finished the season starting at forward for L.A., registered 6 goals and 2 assists, and was called in to the Venezuelan N.T.

Bryan Namoff was a solid defender for D.C. this year, logging 1665 minutes.

Arturo Torres was L.A.'s starting right mid by the end of the season, and through the playoffs.

In addition to these guys, several other made impacts on their teams, including Davy Arnaud, Matt Behncke, Chris Leitch, Marshall Leonard, Phil Salyer, and the much maligned Kenny Arena. Furthermore, a few others didn't play in MLS, but had very strong seasons in the A-league. Nick Walls scored seven goals and an assist for Milwaukee; Josh Saunders had a big hand in turning around Portland's season, and Roger Levesque, in only 183 minutes, scored two goals and an assist for Seattle (he was injured most of the year).

Obviously, it's not going to be spitting out the glamorous future stars that the P-40 program produces, but several interesting young players, who likely would not have found a spot on an MLS side otherwise, have already been produced. Although it's nice to dream about reserve teams and academies for every team, I think that, for now, increasing the number of developmental slots would be a great way to improve MLS's ability to identify and field the best young American talent.